The afterglow is still burning three days later.
Ohio State trounced Michigan 27-9 to snap its four-game losing streak in The Game. Buckeye fans are rightfully rejoicing. Wolverine fans have gone back to the realms of history for their clapbacks, as they did for decades before OSU’s skid started.
As for Ohio State’s players? They kicked ass on the field and (mostly) won with humility. There’s a few fun Instagram posts out there from them trolling Michigan, Jeremiah Smith flipped the finger at UM’s crowd after one of his touchdowns and made it his profile pic on Instagram for a brief time before switching back to a calmer photo of himself. It’s nothing compared to the antics of Wolverines during and after the game, however.
Stocks are all up. Duh. I’d be a fool to criticize a single iota of this program after Saturday.Â
Stock Up
Ryan Day
There were fools out there saying Day was coaching for his job after losing this very game a year ago. It’s me, I was a fool. Never been more happy to be so blatantly wrong about something. All the changes implemented to keep things routine and not overthinking The Game, the game plan, all a masterclass. He coached circles around Sherrone Moore.
Since the worst loss of his career in Ohio Stadium a season ago, Day’s won 16 consecutive games, capturing a national title and righting the wrong of that dark day in the Shoe. Now he’s chasing two incredible pieces of history. First, the first repeat national title in school history. Second, the first 16-0 season in college football season. Remind me who holds the only 15-0 season? I think the team wears Maize and Blue. Would be great to pry that record from that team’s hands.
The Offensive Line
I wrote about it in much greater depth on Saturday following the game, but Ohio State broke Michigan’s will in the trenches. A back-breaking 20-play, nearly-12 minute drive. Forty minutes time of possession, the first time the Buckeyes have done that in The Game since they started logging time of possession stats in 1981. Zero pressures, not just sacks, pressures allowed. Have a day, slobs.
Tegra Tshabola
Among the offensive linemen, I wanted to specifically highlight right guard Tegra Tshabola. The man has made multiple appearances in Stock Down this year. On Saturday, he turned in probably the best performance of his career. The coaching staff never took him off the field as a result, rather than rolling him with Joshua Padilla or Gabe VanSickle as they normally have this year. He road-graded all day and stood as a stalwart in pass protection. Just watch him perform a clinical trap block on star Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore, head upfield to seal, springing Isaiah West for a 14-yard gain. Gorgeous execution.
Smith and Tate, Tough as Nails
Ohio State’s star wide receiver tandem of Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate both gutted out injuries to deliver big plays in key moments. Tate’s 50-yard touchdown felt like a third-quarter dagger, putting the Buckeyes ahead 24-9, but I wanted to highlight this early 3rd-and-7 where Tate drags a pile of defenders to ensure he gets a first down. That’s not someone concerned with protecting his NFL draft stock. He’s laying his body on the line for the team.
Julian Sayin
After tossing an interception on his second throw of the game, Sayin settled in to complete 19 of his final 24 passes (79.2%) for 233 yards and three touchdowns without throwing another pick. He proved the poised maestro he’s been all season and set himself up for a Heisman Trophy hoisting with another big day and win over Indiana in the Big Ten Championship game.
The Defensive Front
Michigan hit a few explosive runs in the first half, uncharacteristic of the Ohio State defensive line and linebacker corps. They still bowed their necks to hold for field goals then, but after their halftime adjustments, pure dominance in the second half. The Wolverines rushed for -8 yards in the final 30 minutes. Bryce Underwood got significantly sped up in the pocket, part of his struggles throwing the ball. They manhandled a Joe Moore finalist offensive line.
Bo Jackson
Jackson became the latest freshman to etch his name into the lore of The Game, rushing for 117 yards at a clip of 5.3 yards per carry and adding four receptions for 49 yards to outgain Michigan’s entire offense 166 to 163. He made a run-of-the-year contender in the first quarter that was key for turning early momentum back toward Ohio State. Per Pro Football Focus, 66 of his 117 rushing yards came after contact.
This angle of Bo Jackson making everyone miss pic.twitter.com/wh7SAIR6jG
— BuckeyeMOB (@Buckeye_Mob) December 1, 2025
Brutus!
This is some of the best mascot antics I’ve ever seen. And a fun way to stamp a big win in The Big House. Get ’em, Brutus. Shoutout to FOX’s Gus Johnson (a Detroit native and Michigan fan off-air) for having fun with it on the broadcast.
That @Brutus_Buckeye is one naughty ascot
: FOX pic.twitter.com/RgJbkDIF7O
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 29, 2025
Stock Down
Bryce Underwood
Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry said after The Game that the defense’s simple plan was to make Underwood play quarterback. He rushed six times for 1 yard. He went 8-of-18 for 63 yards passing, with no touchdowns and one interception. Sorry, Bryce, it doesn’t seem to be over for Ohio State.
This is why humility is the best policy
Bryce Underwood, who was the Number 1 ranked recruit in the nation, said Its over for Ohio State, before ever putting on a jersey
Today – He was 8-13 for 63 yards and an interception
— Hoop Herald (@TheHoopHerald) November 29, 2025
Michigan’s Mysteriously One-Sided Helmet Comms
Helmet communications went down between the coaches’ box and Ohio State’s sideline and green dot wearers at multiple points during The Game. The issue did not seem to affect Michigan. That’s all I have to say about that.
Sherrone Moore
What was this game plan, my dude? Put away the blue collar jacket and get to work on an attack that involves a monocome of creativity. Maybe involve your athletic freak at quarterback in the run game beyond scrambling? Maybe try to respond in some creative way when Ohio State’s defense starts smothering you like a fly underwater in the second half? No? Cool.
For the first time in years, Michigan felt grossly underprepared for Ohio State. Moore’s record now sits at 16-8 as a head coach.Â
Trying to Win the Fight, Not The Game
Michigan players and fans all cried foul when Ohio State ran to defend its midfield logo as the Wolverines planted a flag there in 2024. What did the Wolverines do in 2025 after getting their behinds handed to them on a shimmering golden plate? Stand at midfield like a bunch of babies guarding against a flag plant that never came. The Buckeyes instead celebrated with their fans.
Michigan players guarding the M from Ohio State
(via @CFBONFOX)pic.twitter.com/uFly7DeRh7
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 29, 2025
Alright, Ryan Day did stop a few players from making midfield statements. But there was never a mass of Buckeyes hoarded up waving the Block O and trying to stab it into turf the way Michigan’s M was done last year. And that’s not all this section is about. After every other play, a Wolverine was up in some Buckeye’s grill chirping. Even as they trailed by three scores. Not that Ohio State didn’t send some chippiness back, but it’s clear which side instigated far more often. If you watched, you know what I’m talking about.Â
Lastly, a crowd of 20-30 Michigan players gathered in the shared tunnel of Michigan Stadium, seemingly ready to ambush Ohio State’s athletes. At least per Rivals’ Austin Ward, who I’ll personally confirm was in the tunnel postgame.
20-30 Michigan players tried to lay a trap to ambush Ohio State players post game in the tunnels. pic.twitter.com/Ya2CT4RBci
— JBook. (@JBook_37) December 1, 2025
You want to win a fight? Do it on the scoreboard. At the risk of my journalistic integrity, and barring myself from the use of profanity – screw Michigan. Enjoy the Viagra Bowl or whatever, you clowns.